Patents by Inventor William C. Funk

William C. Funk 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: 6602173
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically forming at least two sheets of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a first roll of sheet material, a second roll of sheet material, a female die and a male die. A first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are automatically formed from the first and second rolls of sheet material, respectively, and the first and second sheets of material are positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The formed articles are automatically stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust Int'l. Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk
  • Publication number: 20020132717
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically forming at least two sheets of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a first roll of sheet material, a second roll of sheet material, a female die and a male die. A first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are automatically formed from the first and second rolls of sheet material, respectively, and the first and second sheets of material are positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The formed articles are automatically stacked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk
  • Patent number: 6419617
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically forming at least two sheets of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a first roll of sheet material, a second roll of sheet material, a female die and a male die. A first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are automatically formed from the first and second rolls of sheet material, respectively, and the first and second sheets of material are positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The formed articles are automatically stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk
  • Publication number: 20010036891
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically forming at least two sheets of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a first roll of sheet material, a second roll of sheet material, a female die and a male die. A first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are automatically formed from the first and second rolls of sheet material, respectively, and the first and second sheets of material are positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The formed articles are automatically stacked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk
  • Patent number: 6213926
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a female die and a male die. A sheet of material is positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The apparatus further includes means for supplying a stream of air between the female die and the formed article to release the formed article from the female die and means for holding the formed article against the male die as the male die and the female die are positioned from a forming position to a discharge position whereby the formed article is removed from the female die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk
  • Patent number: 6056679
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a female die and a male die. A sheet of material is positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The apparatus further includes means for supplying a stream of air between the female die and the formed article to release the formed article from the female die and means for holding the formed article against the male die as the male die and the female die are positioned from a forming position to a discharge position whereby the formed article is removed from the female die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk
  • Patent number: 5944646
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sheet of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a female die and a male die. A sheet of material is positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The apparatus further includes means for supplying a stream of air between the female die and the formed article to release the formed article from the female die and means for holding the formed article against the male die as the male die and the female die are positioned from a forming position to a discharge position whereby the formed article is removed from the female die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G.. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk
  • Patent number: 5795281
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically forming at least two sheets of material into an article, such as a flower pot cover, is provided. The apparatus includes a first roll of sheet material, a second roll of sheet material, a female die and a male die. A first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are automatically formed from the first and second rolls of sheet material, respectively, and the first and second sheets of material are positioned between the male die and the female die. The male and female dies are shaped such that at least a portion of the male die is receivable in the opening of the female die to form the article. The formed articles are automatically stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter, Frank Craig, Michael J. King, William C. Funk