Patents by Inventor Wayne C. Sherman

Wayne C. Sherman 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: 6712109
    Abstract: An improved labeler includes a label base and a label cassette with the footprints of the labeler base housing and the label cassette frame being substantially the same size. An electronically-controlled drive mechanism is contained drive mechanism is contained within the labeler base housing and is operated intermittently to synchronously drive a mechanism for feeding labels to be picked up by a bellows wheel, and the bellows wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20020157545
    Abstract: An improved labeler includes a label base and a label cassette with the footprints of the labeler base housing and the label cassette frame being substantially the same size. An electronically-controlled drive mechanism is contained drive mechanism is contained within the labeler base housing and is operated intermittently to synchronously drive a mechanism for feeding labels to be picked up by a bellows wheel, and the bellows wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6427746
    Abstract: A labeler includes at least one bellows movable between extended and retracted positions. The bellows includes a cap defining a distal end for carrying the label and having at least one cap opening therein, and a pleated sidewall connected to the cap. The labeler includes a flexible coil tube positioned within the bellows and having a distal end connected in fluid communication with the cap openings and a proximal end for being connected to negative and positive fluid pressure, respectively. A positioner advances the bellows along a path of travel between a label pick-up position and a label application position. A pressure controller selectively connects the bellows and the proximal end of the flexible coil tube to negative and positive fluid pressures as the bellows is advanced along the path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6408916
    Abstract: An improved labeler includes a label base and a label cassette with the footprints of the labeler base housing and the label cassette frame being substantially the same size. An electronically-controlled drive mechanism is contained within the labeler base housing and is operated intermittently to synchronously drive a mechanism for feeding labels to be picked up by a bellows wheel, and the bellows wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20020026987
    Abstract: A labeler includes at least one bellows movable between extended and retracted positions. The bellows includes a cap defining a distal end for carrying the label and having at least one cap opening therein, and a pleated sidewall connected to the cap. The labeler includes a flexible coil tube positioned within the bellows and having a distal end connected in fluid communication with the cap openings and a proximal end for being connected to negative and positive fluid pressure, respectively. A positioner advances the bellows along a path of travel between a label pick-up position and a label application position. A pressure controller selectively connects the bellows and the proximal end of the flexible coil tube to negative and positive fluid pressures as the bellows is advanced along the path of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: DAVID N. ANDERSON, WAYNE C. SHERMAN
  • Publication number: 20010037853
    Abstract: A labeling apparatus includes a supply of label strip including a carrier strip and a plurality of labels having an underside adhesively secured to the carrier strip, a drive for advancing the label strip over a separation plate to separate the labels from the carrier strip at a label pick-up position, and a label pick-up and placement device for picking up a label from the label pick-up position and placing the label onto an article. The labeler also preferably includes a fluid delivery device for delivering fluid flow to the underside of the labels at the label pick-up position to promote separation of the labels from the carrier strip. Accordingly, the labeler is able to effectively use older or lower cost label strip without labels sticking to the carrier strip. The fluid delivery device may comprise a nozzle body having an inlet port to be connected to a fluid source and an outlet port for directing the fluid flow to the underside of the labels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: DAVID N. ANDERSON, WAYNE C. SHERMAN, DANIEL A. TATE
  • Patent number: 6230779
    Abstract: A labeler includes at least one bellows movable between extended and retracted positions. The bellows preferably includes a venturi member for applying or maintaining a vacuum to hold the label as the bellows is extended outwardly by positive pressure coupled to the bellows. The labeler preferably includes a positioner for advancing each bellows along a path of travel between a label pick-up position and a label application position, and a controller for controlling fluid flow to retract and extend the bellows as same is advanced along the path of travel. The bellows, in turn, preferably comprises a cap defining a distal end of the bellows for carrying the label and having at least one cap opening therein, a pleated sidewall connected to the cap and having at least one sidewall opening therein, and the venturi member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6047755
    Abstract: An improved labeler includes a housing and a bellows drive gear and cassette drive sprocket spaced apart and each rotatably supported in the housing. A stepper motor is mounted in the housing and has an output shaft. A first drive gear is affixed to the shaft and engages the bellows drive gear. A second drive gear is affixed to the shaft. A drive train is interposed between and engages the second gear and the cassette drive sprocket. The stepper motor is positioned between the bellows drive sprocket and the cassette drive sprocket whereby the footprint of the labeler is minimized. Each individual bellows has a marker. A position sensor detects each of the markers. A first sensor detects a fruit. The stepper motor is responsive to the fruit sensor to advance the bellows wheel in response to detection of a fruit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5829351
    Abstract: An improved labeler includes a housing and a bellows drive gear and cassette drive sprocket spaced apart and each rotatably supported in the housing. A stepper motor is mounted in the housing and has an output shaft. A first drive gear is affixed to the shaft and engages the bellows drive gear. A second drive gear is affixed to the shaft. A drive train is interposed between and engages the second gear and the cassette drive sprocket. The stepper motor is positioned between the bellows drive sprocket and the cassette drive sprocket whereby the footprint of the labeler is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5743176
    Abstract: A point of sale juice extractor where diverse types of fruit to be processed are fed from a storage bin through an auger to a grater plate. The juice is released from the fruit at the grater plate and is centrifuged into a collector pan while the waste pulp by-product is discharged into a waste container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5483870
    Abstract: Latching elements are positioned to interface with removable components of a single head juice extractor. The latching elements are spring clips for holding an upper cup, a lower cup and an orifice tube in place during machine operation. The latching elements are designed to restrain the orifice tube of the juice extractor in situations where initial installation of the parts are imprecise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5170700
    Abstract: In juice extractor apparatus there is usually provided an orifice tube inside a strainer tube. The orifice tube would have a central aperture through its length for the transport of fruit pulp. The orifice tube of conventional structure is replaced by a fluted column that allows transport of the fruit pulp on the outside of the fluted column and inside the strainer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Anderson, Wayne C. Sherman