Patents by Inventor Thomas Muhs

Thomas Muhs 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: 12515432
    Abstract: Discrete items are conveyed, preferably by a vacuum conveyor, in a machine direction toward a pair of rotating blades. A first intended target of folding, for instance a right portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the intended target of folding, and folds the right portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. If desired, a second intended target of folding, for instance a left portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a second ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the second intended target of folding, and folds the left portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. The folded diaper then exits the folding system and travels downstream for further processing as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2026
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Nelson, Thomas Muhs, Ryan Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20230014324
    Abstract: Discrete items are conveyed, preferably by a vacuum conveyor, in a machine direction toward a pair of rotating blades. A first intended target of folding, for instance a right portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the intended target of folding, and folds the right portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. If desired, a second intended target of folding, for instance a left portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a second ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the second intended target of folding, and folds the left portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. The folded diaper then exits the folding system and travels downstream for further processing as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Nelson, Thomas Muhs, Ryan Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11479008
    Abstract: Discrete items are conveyed, preferably by a vacuum conveyor, in a machine direction toward a pair of rotating blades. A first intended target of folding, for instance a right portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the intended target of folding, and folds the right portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. If desired, a second intended target of folding, for instance a left portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a second ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the second intended target of folding, and folds the left portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. The folded diaper then exits the folding system and travels downstream for further processing as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Nelson, Thomas Muhs, Ryan Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20190241391
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products. The invention is a means of conveying the web or diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to provide sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Sudeep Ingole, Gottfried Jason Hohm, Debra Heus Bowe, Thomas Muhs, Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, Robert Earl Andrews
  • Publication number: 20190112142
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products such as diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this layer, and the machine provides sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: CURT G. JOA, INC.
    Inventors: Sudeep INGOLE, Gottfried Jason Hohm, Debra Heus Bowe, Thomas Muhs, Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, Robert E. Andrews
  • Patent number: 10167159
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products such as diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this layer, and the machine provides sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudeep Ingole, Gottfried Jason Hohm, Debra Heus Bowe, Thomas Muhs, Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, Robert E. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20170320693
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products such as diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this layer, and the machine provides sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: CURT G. JOA, INC.
    Inventors: Sudeep Ingole, Gottfried Jason Hohm, Debra Heus Bowe, Thomas Muhs, Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, Robert E. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20160113821
    Abstract: Discrete items are conveyed, preferably by a vacuum conveyor, in a machine direction toward a pair of rotating blades. A first intended target of folding, for instance a right portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the intended target of folding, and folds the right portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. If desired, a second intended target of folding, for instance a left portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a second ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the second intended target of folding, and folds the left portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. The folded diaper then exits the folding system and travels downstream for further processing as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Nelson, Thomas Muhs, Ryan Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20150360896
    Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products. The invention is a means of conveying the web or diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to provide sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: CURT G. JOA, INC.
    Inventors: Sudeep Ingole, Gottfried Jason Hohm, Debra Heus Bowe, Thomas Muhs, Jeff Middlesworth
  • Publication number: 20080281691
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of providing a consumer with a rebate in exchange for the recycling of an electronic device. The method comprises receiving a rebate claim and an electronic device from a consumer, providing the consumer with a different and/or new electronic device with a service associated with the different and/or new electronic device, and transferring the monetary value of the rebate to the consumer. In some embodiments, the method comprises accessing client information associated with current cellular phone service clients and selecting target clients for providing rebate offers to based on the client information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Pearson, Kelley Gregory, Thomas Muhs