Patents by Inventor Thomas Hayes

Thomas Hayes 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).

  • Publication number: 20140261745
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pressure relievable tank comprising a cylinder, a pressure relief valve having a housing with an upper end, a lower end and a sidewall disposed therebetween, a flange connected the upper end of the housing, and a bottom having a central aperture and an upwardly facing rim surrounding the central aperture. The bottom is connected to the lower end of the housing and the bottom and sidewall form a cavity. A retainer is fixed in the upper end of the housing, a seal is disposed in the lower end of the housing, and a spring is compressed between the retainer and the seal for holding the seal against the upwardly facing rim. A projection weld welds the flange to the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Thomas HAYES
  • Publication number: 20140076862
    Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Anthony J. Kowaleski, Bruce A. Casner, L. Thomas Hayes, Richard J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 8592723
    Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Anthony J. Kowaleski, Bruce A. Casner, L. Thomas Hayes, Richard J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20120095941
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a cost calculator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Grant A. Dolson, Anthony J. Kowaleski, Robert R. Davidson, Bruce Alan Casner, Knut Norman Froland, L. Thomas Hayes, Richard John Schuh
  • Publication number: 20110246395
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a cost calculator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Grant A. Dolson, Anthony J. Kowaleski, Robert R. Davidson, Bruce A. Casner, Knut N. Froland, L. Thomas Hayes, Richard John Schuh
  • Publication number: 20110202168
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a database, preferably with a DBMS, and preferably embedded. The welding-type system includes a source of power, and a controller connected to the source of power. The DBMS may be part of the welding controller. A method of monitoring a welding-type system is also disclosed, and includes monitoring data and storing the data in an embedded database. The database may include data organized in a plurality of columns and rows, and the date may relate to one or more welding processes, data relating to welding parameters, including one or more of commanded welding voltages, welding current, wire feed speed, data relating to one or more welding sequences, and/or one or more fedback welding parameters such as current, voltage, welding time, ramp rates and wire feed speed. The data may be located in a file in an operating system, in a file on a personal computer, and/or in a file networked to the welding-type system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Casner, L. Thomas Hayes
  • Publication number: 20110198329
    Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Anthony J. Kowaleski, Bruce A. Casner, L. Thomas Hayes, Richard J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20090049439
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power are disclosed. They include a source of welding-type power and at least one welding system peripheral. Each includes a network module that has boot loader software. A network is connected to the two network modules, and the network has connection for updates that is capable of receiving software updates. The network connection for updating may be on a user interface module, disposed inside or outside of a housing of the source of welding-type power and may include an RS232 connection. The network modules may include application software. The peripheral may be a wire feeder, a robot interface, or any other peripheral. A second peripheral, with a network module and boot loader software, may also be connected to the network. The updating can occur when the system is powered up. The software update is obtained from a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or over the internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: L. Thomas Hayes
  • Patent number: 7411155
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power are disclosed. They include a source of welding-type power and at least one welding system peripheral. Each includes a network module that has boot loader software. A network is connected to the two network modules, and the network has connection for updates that is capable of receiving software updates. The network connection for updating may be on a user interface module, disposed inside or outside of a housing of the source of welding-type power and may include an RS232 connection. The network modules may include application software. The peripheral may be a wire feeder, a robot interface, or any other peripheral. A second peripheral, with a network module and boot loader software, may also be connected to the network. The updating can occur when the system is powered up. The software update is obtained from a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or over the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: L. Thomas Hayes
  • Patent number: 7307241
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming a welding-type system is disclosed. They include storing at least one welding program in a pda and connecting the pda to the welding-type system. Then, the at least one welding program is downloaded to (or a program is uploaded from) the welding-type system. The controller includes a memory and a memory input is connected to the memory and connectable to a pda. The program may be delivered to the pda by email. The connection may be wired, such as RS232), or wireless, such as IR or RF. The program is edited in one embodiment. Also, the connection may be wireless and to a remote memory (such as on a desktop or laptop).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: L. Thomas Hayes
  • Publication number: 20070243806
    Abstract: A system and a method for determining a break point of a plurality of hog carcasses is disclosed. The method includes establishing at least one criterion for determining whether the loin of a carcass should be boned. Data is then collected from the hog carcasses relating to the quality of the hog carcasses. Next a determination is made, based on the criteria, whether the loin of a selected carcass of the plurality of hog carcasses is appropriate for boning. If so, the break point of the selected carcass is adjusted appropriately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Lincoln Woods, Thomas Hayes, Gregory Wurtz, Anthony Sommers
  • Publication number: 20070228052
    Abstract: A base for a food container includes a pattern of rib units in a side wall of the container. The rib units are formed at multiple angles and depths to provide strength to the side wall. The base also includes a bottom with ribs of alternating heights and angles that provide strength to the bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Hayes, James Gomoll
  • Patent number: 7210993
    Abstract: A system and a method for determining a break point of a plurality of hog carcasses is disclosed. The method includes establishing at least one criterion for determining whether the loin of a carcass should be boned. Data is then collected from the hog carcasses relating to the quality of the hog carcasses. Next a determination is made, based on the criteria, whether the loin of a selected carcass of the plurality of hog carcasses is appropriate for boning. If so, the break point of the selected carcass is adjusted appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Lincoln Woods, Thomas Hayes, Gregory Wurtz, Anthony Sommers
  • Publication number: 20070023428
    Abstract: A container assembly comprises a first container and a second container. The first container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The first rim terminates in a lip portion. The second container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The second rim terminates in a lip portion. The second rim and the first rim are shaped substantially the same. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by fitting a plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs of the first container into a plurality of respective second spaces of the second container and fitting a second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs of the second container into a plurality of respective first spaces of the first container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Wambold, Deborah Oberst, Thomas Hayes, Scott Brown, H. Bernard Kirkland
  • Publication number: 20070007288
    Abstract: A container assembly comprises a first container and a second container. The first container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The rim has a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The rim has a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second rim and the first rim are shaped substantially the same. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces. The first container may be shaped substantially the same as the second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Hayes, Scott Brown
  • Publication number: 20060261607
    Abstract: A locking device or security seal includes a locking element, a locking body and a label adhesively applied to a surface of the locking body. The locking body is configured to receive an end of the locking element therein to secure the security seal at an object. The label has indicia formed therethrough and the locking body has the same indicia formed in its surface via a laser etching process. The label is removable from the surface of the locking body and is applicable to a tracking form to record identifying indicia of the security seal. The laser beam may be selected to selectively burn through the label material and at least partially into a non-metallic material of or at the surface of the locking body, without substantially burning into the locking body, such as into a metallic locking body or into a non-metallic or polymeric locking body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Kromkowski, Thomas Hayes
  • Publication number: 20060226162
    Abstract: A nestable or stackable container having at least one recess formed in the sidewall of the container to improve wall strength integrity. The surface of the recess further including texturing to improve grippability such that the container can be grasped in any direction while providing improved tactile engagement. An anti-rotation element is formed in the sidewall of the container and is configured to prevent rotation movement of the container when in a stacked or nested arrangement with a second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Hayes, Ashwin Shah, David Orr, Michael Maczuzak, Jose Rodriguez, Luis Amador, H. Kirkland
  • Publication number: 20060159807
    Abstract: A container assembly comprises first and second containers. The first container includes a first body portion and a first rim. The first rim has a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The first rim has a generally convex shape. The second container includes a second body portion and a second rim. The second rim has a second plurality of ribs projecting generally downwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second rim has a generally concave shape. The first and second rims have shapes that correspond with each other when locked. The first and second containers are adapted to be releasably lockable by fitting the second plurality of ribs into respective ones of the first plurality of ribs and fitting the first spaces into respective ones of the second spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Hayes, Scott Brown, Paul Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20060124124
    Abstract: A method for processing lignocellulosic materials in which a lignocellulosic feedstock material is contacted with a mixture of dilute acid, metal salt catalyst and hydrogen peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide-producing chemicals, resulting in the formation of an impregnated lignocellulosic material impregnated with at least one hydroxyl radical. The impregnated lignocellulosic material is then hydrolyzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Bhupendra Soni, Thomas Hayes, Vipul Srivastava
  • Publication number: 20060108254
    Abstract: A method for forming a reduced-height stack of containers wherein the containers stacked contain at least one undercut and at least one undercut receiving structure. The first container having an undercut at a first position and an undercut receiving structure at a second position. The second container having an undercut at a third position and an undercut receiving structure at a fourth position. The containers may be arranged so that the at least one undercut of the first container at the first position aligns with and fits into the at least one undercut receiving structure at the fourth position of the second container below the first container in the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: James Gomoll, Thomas Hayes, H. Kirkland