Patents by Inventor Thomas W. McGrane

Thomas W. McGrane 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).

  • Bag manipulating method and assembly for a bag filling station
    Patent number: 6672038
    Abstract: A bag manipulating method and assembly including a pair of bag grippers that receive and grip opposing side edges of a bag positioned in a loading station. The bag grippers are movable in a plane substantially normal to a longitudinal axis of the loading station. The bag manipulating assembly also includes upper and lower bag spreader assemblies, each having a suction cup to apply suction to the bag and a spreader plate that is insertable into the bag and movable to spread apart the bag. Preferably, the bag grippers move toward each other in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis while the bag is being spread apart to facilitate opening the bag. To facilitate closing and sealing the bag, the bag grippers move away from each other in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis after the bag has been filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: OPTIMA Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. McGrane, Ronald R. Parsons, Gerald L. Townsend, Stefan Schabel
  • Bag manipulating method and assembly for a bag filling station
    Publication number: 20030037510
    Abstract: A bag manipulating method and assembly including a pair of bag grippers that receive and grip opposing side edges of a bag positioned in a loading station. The bag grippers are movable in a plane substantially normal to a longitudinal axis of the loading station. The bag manipulating assembly also includes upper and lower bag spreader assemblies, each having a suction cup to apply suction to the bag and a spreader plate that is insertable into the bag and movable to spread apart the bag. Preferably, the bag grippers move toward each other in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis while the bag is being spread apart to facilitate opening the bag. To facilitate closing and sealing the bag, the bag grippers move away from each other in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis after the bag has been filled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: OPTIMA Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. McGrane, Ronald R. Parsons, Gerald L. Townsend, Stefan Schabel
  • Bag manipulating method and assembly for a bag filling station
    Publication number: 20020121073
    Abstract: A bag manipulating method and assembly including a pair of bag grippers that receive and grip opposing side edges of a bag positioned in a loading station. The bag grippers are movable in a plane substantially normal to a longitudinal axis of the loading station. The bag manipulating assembly also includes upper and lower bag spreader assemblies, each having a suction cup to apply suction to the bag and a spreader plate that is insertable into the bag and movable to spread apart the bag. Preferably, the bag grippers move toward each other in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis while the bag is being spread apart to facilitate opening the bag. To facilitate closing and sealing the bag, the bag grippers move away from each other in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis after the bag has been filled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: OPTIMA Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. McGrane, Ronald R. Parsons, Gerald L. Townsend, Stefan Schabel