Curtis J Martin

US Patent:

6449922, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Jan 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768338

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - Floyds Knobs IN

Assignee:

Lantech Management Corp. - Louisville KY
Lantech Holding Corp. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1104

US Classification:

53399, 53441, 53587, 53556

Abstract:

A leading end of packaging material is grasped in a packaging material holder while a load is wrapped. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material holder may be positioned on the rotating surface of a turntable but isolated from any electrical or fluid power source of a rotatable surface of the turntable. During the wrapping cycle, the packaging material holder moves downstream along the turntable, automatically releasing the leading end of the packaging material and automatically grasping a trailing end of the packaging material. The packaging material is weakened and then severed between the packaging material holder and the load. The packaging material holder is mounted to permit it to move upstream due to force exerted by the packaging material held in the holder.

US Patent:

6748718, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Oct 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/286748

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - New Albany IN

Assignee:

Lantech, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 5702

US Classification:

53 64, 53399, 53556, 53441

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for stretch wrapping a load in an efficient manner so as to tightly and securely wrap the load at a desired tension without rupturing the packaging material. The method and apparatus compensate for variation in demand rate as the load is wrapped so as to apply the wrapping material to a load at a desired force, maintain the desired containment tension on the wrapping material on the load after wrapping, and prevent the wrapping material from rupturing during wrapping. The apparatus combines two systems, power assisted roller stretch (âPRSâ) and roller stretch (âRSâ) to vary the supply rate of the packaging material as the demand rate varies. The apparatus automatically switches between the two types of prestretch to achieve âhighâ and âlowâ wrapping force dependent upon the demand rate. Changes in the demand rate are sensed by monitoring changes in the payoff angle of the packaging material extending between the dispenser and the load.

US Patent:

6848237, Feb 1, 2005

Filed:

Jul 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/202440

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - Floyds Knobs IN, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 1104

US Classification:

53399, 53441, 53556, 53587, 53588

Abstract:

A leading end of packaging material is grasped in a packaging material holder while a load is wrapped. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material holder may be positioned on the rotating surface of a turntable but isolated from any electrical or fluid power source of a rotatable surface of the turntable. During the wrapping cycle, the packaging material holder moves downstream along the turntable, automatically releasing the leading end of the packaging material and automatically grasping a trailing end of the packaging material. The packaging material is weakened and then severed between the packaging material holder and the load. The packaging material holder is mounted to permit it to move upstream due to force exerted by the packaging material held in the holder.

US Patent:

6918229, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

May 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/847452

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - New Albany IN, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B013/02

US Classification:

53399, 53441, 53 64, 533892, 226 34

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for stretch wrapping a load in an efficient manner so as to tightly and securely wrap the load at a desired tension without rupturing the packaging material. The method and apparatus compensate for variation in demand rate as the load is wrapped so as to apply the wrapping material to a load at a desired force, maintain the desired containment tension on the wrapping material on the load after wrapping, and prevent the wrapping material from rupturing during wrapping. The apparatus combines two systems, power assisted roller stretch (“PRS”) and roller stretch (“RS”) to vary the supply rate of the packaging material as the demand rate varies. The apparatus automatically switches between the two types of prestretch to achieve “high” and “low” wrapping force dependent upon the demand rate. Changes in the demand rate are sensed by monitoring changes in the payoff angle of the packaging material extending between the dispenser and the load.

US Patent:

7089713, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Jan 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/029472

Inventors:

Curtis Martin - Floyds Knobs IN, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 11/04

US Classification:

53399, 53441, 53556, 53587

Abstract:

A leading end of packaging material is grasped in a packaging material holder while a load is wrapped. Packaging material is dispensed from a packaging material dispenser, and relative rotation is provided between the dispenser and a load to wrap packaging material around the load. The packaging material holder may be positioned on the rotating surface of a turntable but isolated from any electrical or fluid power source of a rotatable surface of the turntable. During the wrapping cycle, the packaging material holder moves downstream along the turntable, automatically releasing the leading end of the packaging material and automatically grasping a trailing end of the packaging material. The packaging material is weakened and then severed between the packaging material holder and the load. The packaging material holder is mounted to permit it to move upstream due to force exerted by the packaging material held in the holder.

US Patent:

8145350, Mar 27, 2012

Filed:

Oct 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/696736

Inventors:

Curtis W. Martin - New Albany IN, US
Terry L. Wilson - Crestwood KY, US

Assignee:

Lantech.com, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65G 59/02

US Classification:

700217, 700258, 4147969, 4147918

Abstract:

A palletizer for automatically building a load with product from an infeed area is disclosed. It includes means for defining a desired volume of a load including a length sensor, a width sensor, and a height sensor. It also includes means for transporting product from an infeed area to the load. A controller is associated with means for defining the desired volume, the controller being configured to receive signals from the sensors and to automatically control movement of the means for transporting. The controller is configured to automatically determine when the volume is filled. In another aspect, a method of building a load with product from an infeed area is provided. The method includes defining a desired volume of the load using a length sensor, a width sensor, and a height sensor. It also includes automatically filling the volume with product, and determining when the volume is filled.

US Patent:

20120175170, Jul 12, 2012

Filed:

Oct 28, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/283900

Inventors:

Curtis W. Martin - Georgetown IN, US
Gary L. Peters - Louisville KY, US

Assignee:

LANTECH.COM, LLC - Louisville KY

International Classification:

G01G 19/52

US Classification:

177201

Abstract:

A turntable that can be used with a machine for wrapping loads with packaging material includes a turntable assembly having a first support assembly and a load support surface supported for rotation on the first support assembly. A second support assembly contacts a floor surface, and a plurality of load cells disposed between the first and second support assemblies space the first support assembly and the load support surface above the floor surface. In use, the load cells sense a weight of a load on the load support surface.

US Patent:

51408007, Aug 25, 1992

Filed:

Mar 6, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/665115

Inventors:

Stuart Martin - Corydon IN
Curtis Martin - New Albany IN
Bill Bird - Louisville KY
John Fain - Louisville KY
Phil Moore - Mt. Washington KY

Assignee:

Lantech, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

B65B 6106

US Classification:

53441

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is provided for severing packaging material which extends between successive wrapped loads during a continuous packaging process. A conveyor assembly conveys the wrapped loads along a load path in a conveying direction. The conveyor assembly includes a first conveyor portion having a discharge area and a second conveyor portion having a receiving area downstream and a step down from the discharge area of the first conveyor portion. A severing assembly includes a severing element located above the second conveyor portion for severing the packaging material between loads. A pivoting breakaway mechanism permits the severing element to pivot in the conveying direction. An escapement mechanism, responsive to load sensors, transports the severing element to a position spaced from the load path when the severing element encounters a load.