John Matthew Tharpe

US Patent:

58876995, Mar 30, 1999

Filed:

Feb 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

/022912

Inventors:

John M. Tharpe - Albany GA

International Classification:

B65G 3700
B07C 900

US Classification:

198367

Abstract:

Articles are conveyed along a primary conveyor in a first direction, and are moved rapidly onto a selected one of a plurality of sorting conveyors closely packed and extending generally lateral to the primary conveyor by rotating the articles so that a portion of each rotated article extends across the side of the primary conveyor to be frictionally engaged on the sorting conveyor for rapid movement away from the primary conveyor.

US Patent:

63114585, Nov 6, 2001

Filed:

Dec 1, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/201950

Inventors:

John M. Tharpe - Albany GA

International Classification:

B65B 902
B65B 6300

US Classification:

53115

Abstract:

An apparatus and associated methods are provided for producing a plurality of shock absorbing pads. The apparatus preferably has a core pad former for forming particulate core material into a plurality of individual core pads, a core pad encaser positioned downstream from the core pad former for encasing the plurality of individual core pads with a selected sheet of material to thereby form a sheet of a plurality of shock absorbing pads, a pad sheet debulking conveyor positioned adjacent the core pad encaser for debulking the sheet of the plurality of shock absorbing pads and conveying the sheet of the plurality of shock absorbing pads downstream, and a pad separator positioned downstream the pad sheet conveyor for separating the sheet into a plurality of individual shock absorbing pads.

US Patent:

58707786, Feb 16, 1999

Filed:

Oct 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/958144

Inventors:

John M. Tharpe - Albany GA

International Classification:

A41D 2700
A41D 2724

US Classification:

2400

Abstract:

A disposable undergarment waistband and method of forming a waistband are provided which preferably include providing a first elongate layer of non-woven material having a first predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of elongate elastic strips are positioned to overlie a first portion of the upper surface of the first non-woven layer. A second elongate layer of non-woven material preferably is also provided having a second predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface of the second elongate layer is positioned to overlie the plurality of elastic strips and the upper surface of the first portion of said first non-woven elongate layer. The second predetermined width of the second non-woven layer preferably is narrower than the first predetermined width of the first non-woven layer. The upper surface of at least a second portion of the first elongate layer preferably is folded to overlie and to be secured to the upper surface of the second elongate layer. A plurality of gathers also are formed in the first and second non-woven layers.

US Patent:

62772236, Aug 21, 2001

Filed:

Oct 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/959150

Inventors:

Robert M. Herrin - Orlando FL
John M. Tharpe - Albany GA

International Classification:

A61F 1315
B32B 3100

US Classification:

156 731

Abstract:

A disposable undergarment forming apparatus and methods are provided for forming disposable undergarments. The apparatus preferably includes a core former positioned to form a stream of undergarment cores. The core former includes a mat securer positioned to secure each of a plurality of undergarment mats to a sheet of a polymeric material and a first separator positioned downstream from the mat securer for separating the stream of undergarment cores into a plurality of individual cores. An elastic waistband former preferably is positioned adjacent the core former for forming elastic waistbands. A waistband securer is positioned downstream from the core former and positioned to receive the elastic waistbands from the elastic waistband former for securing the waistbands to the plurality of individual undergarment cores to thereby form a chain of a plurality of undergarments. A folder is positioned downstream from the waistband securer for folding each of the plurality of undergarments of the chain. A side connector is positioned downstream from the folder for connecting at least the side peripheries of the waistbands of the plurality of undergarments of the chain.

US Patent:

58795006, Mar 9, 1999

Filed:

Jun 21, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/667518

Inventors:

Robert M. Herrin - Orlando FL
John M. Tharpe - Albany GA

International Classification:

A61F 1315
B65B 3550
B65B 3556
B65B 6304

US Classification:

156204

Abstract:

A disposable undergarment forming apparatus and methods are provided for forming disposable undergarments. The apparatus preferably includes a core former positioned to form a stream of undergarment cores. The core former includes a mat securer positioned to secure each of a plurality of undergarment mats to a sheet of a polymeric material and a first separator positioned downstream from the mat securer for separating the stream of undergarment cores into a plurality of individual cores. An elastic waistband former preferably is positioned adjacent the core former for forming elastic waistbands. A waistband securer is positioned downstream from the core former and positioned to receive the elastic waistbands from the elastic waistband former for securing the waistbands to the plurality of individual undergarment cores to thereby form a chain of a plurality of undergarments. A folder is positioned downstream from the waistband securer for folding each of the plurality of undergarments of the chain. A side connector is positioned downstream from the folder for connecting at least the side peripheries of the waistbands of the plurality of undergarments of the chain.

US Patent:

57065241, Jan 13, 1998

Filed:

Aug 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/699110

Inventors:

Robert M. Herrin - Albany GA
John Tharpe - Albany GA

International Classification:

A41D 2700
A41D 2724

US Classification:

2400

Abstract:

A disposable undergarment waistband and method of forming a waistband are provided which preferably include providing a first elongate layer of non-woven material having a first predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of elongate elastic strips are positioned to overlie a first portion of the upper surface of the first non-woven layer. A second elongate layer of non-woven material preferably is also provided having a second predetermined width and upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface of the second elongate layer is positioned to overlie the plurality of elastic strips and the upper surface of the first portion of said first non-woven elongate layer. The second predetermined width of the second non-woven layer preferably is narrower than the first predetermined width of the first non-woven layer. The upper surface of at least a second portion of the first elongate layer preferably is folded to overlie and to be secured to the upper surface of the second elongate layer. A plurality of gathers also are formed in the first and second non-woven layers.

US Patent:

60126698, Jan 11, 2000

Filed:

Jun 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/089775

Inventors:

John M. Tharpe - Albany GA
Robert M. Herrin - Albany GA

International Classification:

B65H 2032

US Classification:

2424173

Abstract:

An apparatus and methods are provided for dancingly controlling tension in a web of fabric such as for disposable garments. The apparatus preferably includes a dancer frame, a first set of a plurality of spaced-apart fabric guides connected to the dancer frame, a track connected to the dancer frame, and a tension yoke mounted for slidably following the he track. The tension yoke preferably includes a second set of a plurality of spaced-apart fabric guides positioned for slidably following the movement of the tension yoke when following the track. The apparatus also preferably includes a weight tension control assembly connected to the tension yoke for weightingly controlling the tension applied from the tension yoke to a web of fabric positioned thereon to thereby readily increase and decrease the tension applied to the web. A method of controlling tension in a web of fabric preferably includes positioning a web of fabric on first and second sets of a plurality of spaced-apart fabric guides, moving the web of fabric across the first and second sets of a plurality of spaced-apart fabric guides, and dancingly moving at least one set of the first and second sets of a plurality of fabric guides during movement of the web of fabric across the first and second sets of a plurality of spaced-apart fabric guides.

US Patent:

55452752, Aug 13, 1996

Filed:

Jun 9, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/257768

Inventors:

Robert M. Herrin - Orlando FL
John M. Tharpe - Albany GA

International Classification:

A61F 1315
B29C 6508

US Classification:

156731

Abstract:

Spaced seams in a disposable garment web containing a plastic component and moving rapidly along a direction of manufacture is formed by bringing an ultrasonic welder into pressurized contact with the machine web for a predetermined period of time, heating the web along the seam for a first segment of the predetermined period of time and then maintaining pressurization with the ultrasonic welder during a second segment of the predetermined time period without heat sufficient to permit the plastic material to resolidify.